Frictional sliding mechanism for interior assembly of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A system for a motor vehicle with a first assembly having a first substrate and a rail extending outwardly from the first substrate. The system also includes a second assembly having a second substrate and a clamp extending outwardly from the second substrate. The clamp is slidably coupled to the rail and configured to apply a lateral force to the rail to dampen longitudinal motion of the second assembly relative to the first assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/695,828, entitled “FRICTIONALSLIDING MECHANISM FOR INTERIOR ASSEMBLY OF A VEHICLE”, filed Aug. 31,2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to motor vehicles, and moreparticularly, to a frictional sliding mechanism for interior assembly ofa motor vehicle.

Various systems within a motor vehicle include sliding mechanisms. Forexample, an armrest, a storage compartment, a cup holder, a headrest,and a sun visor may each include a sliding mechanism to facilitateadjustment. Each sliding mechanism may incorporate a variety ofdifferent moving parts. For example, a sliding mechanism may includeviscous dampers, springs, and/or grease. Unfortunately, such slidingmechanisms may apply a variable amount of sliding resistance over theirlife cycle, and may have a finite number of available stops. Forexample, sliding mechanisms that include viscous devices may operate ina variable manner based on the temperature of the sliding mechanism.Therefore, an occupant may find the sliding mechanisms do not functionwith a consistent fluid movement. Moreover, certain viscous dampers,such as rack and pinion viscous dampers may produce unwanted noise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for a motor vehicle. Thesystem includes a first assembly having a first substrate and a railextending outwardly from the first substrate. The system also includes asecond assembly having a second substrate and a clamp extendingoutwardly from the second substrate. The clamp is slidably coupled tothe rail and configured to apply a lateral force to the rail to dampenlongitudinal motion of the second assembly relative to the firstassembly.

The present invention also relates to a system for a motor vehiclehaving a first substrate with a rail extending outwardly therefrom. Thesystem also includes a second substrate and a clamp fixedly coupled tothe second substrate. The clamp extends outwardly from the secondsubstrate. The clamp is slidably coupled to the rail and configured toapply a lateral force to the rail to dampen longitudinal motion of thesecond substrate relative to the first substrate.

The present invention further relates to an armrest assembly for a motorvehicle. The armrest assembly includes a first substrate having a railextending outwardly therefrom and a second substrate. The armrestassembly also includes a clamp with a first arm having a first shoe anda second arm having a second shoe. The clamp is fixedly coupled to andextends outwardly from the second substrate. Moreover, the clamp isslidably coupled to the rail and configured to dampen longitudinalmotion of the second substrate relative to the first substrate. Thefirst arm is configured to apply a first force against a first lateralside of the rail. Further, the first shoe is configured to engage thefirst lateral side of the rail. The second arm is configured to apply asecond force against a second lateral side of the rail, and the secondshoe is configured to engage the second lateral side of the rail.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle that may include africtional sliding mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an armrest supporthaving a frictional sliding mechanism disposed on a bottom portion ofthe armrest support.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the armrest support of FIG. 2 having themovable substrate in a non-extended position relative to a fixedsubstrate.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the armrest support of FIG. 2 having themovable substrate in an extended position relative to a fixed substrate.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest support of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a frictional slidingmechanism.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the frictional sliding mechanism of FIG.6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle 10 that may includea frictional sliding mechanism. The vehicle 10, in this case a car,includes an interior 12 and an exterior 14. The vehicle 10 may includeone or more systems that include frictional sliding mechanisms. Forexample, the vehicle 10 may include an armrest, a storage compartment, acup holder, a headrest, and/or a sun visor that includes a frictionalsliding mechanism to facilitate adjustment of the respective interiorcomponent. The frictional sliding mechanism may include one or moreclamps slidably coupled to a rail. The one or more clamps may apply alateral force to the rail to hold the respective component in a desiredposition. When the lateral force is overcome, the one or more clamps mayslide along the length of the rail, thereby facilitating movement of thecomponent. Accordingly, the frictional sliding mechanism facilitatesmovement of the one or more clamps along the length of the rail withoutusing a viscous material. Thus, the sliding resistance of the frictionalsliding mechanism may remain consistent with a change in temperature.Therefore, the frictional sliding mechanism may be moved throughout itslife cycle by overcoming a substantially non-variable amount of slidingresistance. Moreover, the frictional sliding mechanism may not includeany stops, but may function as if it has an unlimited number of stops,and the frictional sliding mechanism may move quietly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an armrest support 18having a frictional sliding mechanism 20 disposed on a bottom portion ofthe armrest support 18. As may be appreciated, an armrest may beattached to the armrest support 18. The armrest support 18 includes thefrictional sliding mechanism 20 to facilitate armrest adjustment.Moreover, the armrest support 18 includes a movable substrate 22 thatmoves in a longitudinal direction relative to a fixed substrate coupledto the bottom of the movable substrate 22. In certain embodiments, themovable substrate may include ribs that provide structural support to anattached armrest. Furthermore, the movable substrate 22 may includeopenings to facilitate attaching an armrest to the movable substrate 22.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the armrest support 18 of FIG. 2 having themovable substrate 22 in a non-extended position relative to a fixedsubstrate. As illustrated, the frictional sliding mechanism 20 includesa rail 28 extending outwardly from the movable substrate 22, and a clampconfigured to slide along lateral sides of the rail 28. The rail 28 maybe integrally formed with the movable substrate 22 (e.g., via a singlemold), thereby forming a movable assembly, or the rail 28 may be formedseparately from the movable substrate 22, and coupled to the movablesubstrate 22 to form the movable assembly. The rail 28 may slide withinthe clamp when sufficient force is applied to the rail 28 via themovable substrate 22. Accordingly, the movable substrate 22 may movequietly from one position to another.

As illustrated, a fixed substrate 30 is coupled under the movablesubstrate 22. When the movable substrate 22 moves, the fixed substrate30 remains stationary such that the movable substrate 22 moves in alongitudinal direction relative to the fixed substrate 30. The fixedsubstrate 30 includes openings 32 for fixedly attaching the fixedsubstrate 30 to the motor vehicle 10. In certain embodiments, the fixedsubstrate 30 may be fixedly attached to the motor vehicle 10 through ahinge, or another device. As may be appreciated, while the substrate 30in the present embodiment is fixed and the substrate 22 is movable tomove the substrate 22 relative to the substrate 30, in otherembodiments, the substrate 22 may be fixed and the substrate 30 may bemovably attached to the substrate 22 to move the substrate 30 relativeto the substrate 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the frictionalsliding mechanism 20 includes a clamp assembly 34 having a clampconfigured to slide along the lateral sides of the rail 28 as the rail28 moves within the clamp. The clamp assembly 34 also includes asubstrate 36 that attaches to the clamp, and to the fixed substrate 30via openings 38. Although illustrated as separate components, in certainembodiments, the substrate 36 and the fixed substrate 30 may beintegrally formed. As illustrated, FIG. 4 is a bottom view of thearmrest support 18 of FIG. 2 having the movable substrate 22 in anextended position relative to the fixed substrate 30.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest support 18 of FIG. 2. Asillustrated, a clamp 40 is rigidly (e.g., fixedly) coupled to thesubstrate 36 and extends outwardly from the substrate 36. Moreover, theclamp 40 is slidably coupled to the rail 28. Thus, the clamp 40 mayfrictionally engage the rail 28 such that friction may be overcome tomove the movable substrate 22 relative to the fixed substrate 30. Theclamp 40 includes a first arm 42 and a second arm 44. The first andsecond arms 42 and 44 are biased toward the rail 28 to apply a lateralforce to the rail 28 to dampen longitudinal motion of the movablesubstrate 22 relative to the fixed substrate 36. For example, the clamp40 may include spring like features to apply a first force from thefirst arm 42 toward a first lateral side of the rail 28, and to apply asecond force from the second arm 44 toward a second lateral side of therail 28.

The first arm 42 includes a first shoe 46 configured to engage the firstlateral side of the rail 28, and the second arm 44 includes a secondshoe 48 configured to engage the second lateral side of the rail 28. Asmay be appreciated, the rail 28, the first and second arms 42 and 44,and/or the first and second shoes 46 and 48 may be manufactured from oneor more materials that facilitate movement of the rail 28 within theclamp 40. In certain embodiments, the rail 28, the first and second arms42 and 44, and/or the first and second shoes 46 and 48 may bemanufactured from a material including a polymer based material. Forexample, in some embodiments, the rail 28, the first and second arms 42and 44, and/or the first and second shoes 46 and 48 may be manufacturedfrom acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), PC/ABS,polypropylene (PP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or any othersuitable material.

It should be noted that while the present embodiment relates to anarmrest support 18 of an armrest assembly, other systems of the motorvehicle 10 may include the clamp assembly 34 of the frictionally slidingmechanism 20, and/or the assembly including the movable substrate 22.For example, a storage compartment, a cup holder, a headrest, and/or asun visor may include such assemblies.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the frictional slidingmechanism 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate 22 includesthe rail 28 extending outwardly therefrom. The clamp 40 is coupled tothe substrate 36 of the clamp assembly 34. Moreover, the clamp 40includes the first arm 42 having the first shoe 46, and the second arm44 having the second shoe 48. As illustrated, the substrate 22 includesslots 50 to block the substrate 36 from moving vertically or laterallyaway from the substrate 22. Accordingly, the substrate 36 may movelongitudinally back and forth as shown by arrows 52, and the clamp 40may slide along the rail 28. As may be appreciated, the substrate 22 maybe either fixedly attached to the motor vehicle 10, or the substrate 22may be configured to move relative to the motor vehicle 10 and/or thesubstrate 30. Further, the substrate 30 may be either fixedly attachedto the motor vehicle 10, or the substrate 30 may be configured to moverelative to the motor vehicle 10 and/or the substrate 22.

In the present embodiment, the rail 28 extends in a substantiallystraight line along a longitudinal axis 54 of the substrate 22; however,in certain embodiments, the rail 28 may extend in a curved manner alongthe substrate 22. For example, the rail 28 may be part of a dashboardstorage compartment. Accordingly, the rail 28 may be curved to movewithin the clamp 40. Thus, the clamp 40 may frictionally engage the rail28 such that friction may be overcome to open and/or close the dashboardstorage compartment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the frictional sliding mechanism 20 ofFIG. 6. As illustrated, the substrate 36 may slide within the slots 50of the substrate 22. Moreover, the shoes 46 and 48 may be positioned onopposite lateral sides of the rail 28, and may engage the lateral sidesof the rail 28. As illustrated, the rail 28 may be a continuous materialwithout any openings. In some embodiments, a profile of the rail 28 maychange along a length of the rail 28, such as via a change in thickness,shape, continuity, and/or size of the rail 28 to direct the clamp 40 toact with different forces at different areas of the rail 28. Forexample, the rail 28 may have certain portions that are thicker thanother portions of the rail 28, the rail 28 may have notches to act asdetents, the rail 28 may have openings disposed thereon, and so forth.In certain embodiments, the clamp 40 may be manufactured to exert asufficient force such that movement of the clamp 40 along the rail 28 isdifficult. In such an embodiment, the clamp 40 may include a latch torelease and/or reduce the clamping force provided by the clamp 40.Moreover, in some embodiment, the clamp assembly 34 may include multipleclamps 40, such that the clamps 40 are difficult to move along the rail28. Accordingly, a first clamp 40 may include a latch to release thefirst clamp 40 from exerting clamping force on the rail 28, and therebyfacilitate movement of a second clamp 40 along the rail 28. As may beappreciated, the clamping force of the clamps 40 of the clamp assembly34 may be adjusted to any suitable clamping force.

The frictional sliding mechanism 20 described herein may be manufacturedusing low cost materials. In certain embodiments, the frictional slidingmechanism 20 may be formed at least partially from polymer basedmaterials (e.g., plastic). Moreover, in other embodiments, thefrictional sliding mechanism 20 may be formed completely from polymerbased materials. By employing the devices described herein, thefrictional sliding mechanism 20 may operate consistently under a varietyof temperature and/or other atmospheric conditions. Further, thecomponents of the frictional sliding mechanism 20 may provide consistentactuation over an extended duration.

While only certain features and embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur tothose skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements,use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materiallydeparting from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matterrecited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or methodsteps may be varied or resequenced according to alternative embodiments.It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intendedto cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the truespirit of the invention. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concisedescription of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actualimplementation may not have been described (i.e., those unrelated to thepresently contemplated best mode of carrying out the invention, or thoseunrelated to enabling the claimed invention). It should be appreciatedthat in the development of any such actual implementation, as in anyengineering or design project, numerous implementation specificdecisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex andtime consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking ofdesign, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill havingthe benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.

1. A system for a motor vehicle comprising: a first assembly comprisinga first substrate and a rail extending outwardly from the firstsubstrate; and a second assembly comprising a second substrate and aclamp extending outwardly from the second substrate, wherein the clampis slidably coupled to the rail and configured to apply a lateral forceto the rail to dampen longitudinal motion of the second assemblyrelative to the first assembly.
 2. The system of claim 1, comprising aslidable armrest having the first assembly or the second assembly. 3.The system of claim 1, comprising a storage compartment having the firstassembly or the second assembly.
 4. The system of claim wherein thefirst assembly is fixedly attached to the motor vehicle and the secondassembly is configured to move in a longitudinal direction relative tothe first assembly.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondassembly is fixedly attached to the motor vehicle and the first assemblyis configured to move in a longitudinal direction relative to the secondassembly.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises a firstarm and a second arm, the first arm is configured to apply a first forceagainst a first lateral side of the rail, and the second arm isconfigured to apply a second force against a second lateral side of therail.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first arm comprises a firstshoe configured to engage the first lateral side of the rail, and thesecond arm comprises a second shoe configured to engage the secondlateral side of the rail.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the clampand the rail are each formed from a polymer based material.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the rail does not comprise openings.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first substrate and the rail areintegrally molded.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the clamp isfixedly coupled to the second substrate.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein the rail extends substantially straight along a longitudinalaxis of the first substrate.
 13. A system for a motor vehiclecomprising: a first substrate having a rail extending outwardlytherefrom; a second substrate; and a clamp fixedly coupled to the secondsubstrate, and extending outwardly from the second substrate, whereinthe clamp is slidably coupled to the rail and configured to apply alateral force to the rail to dampen longitudinal motion of the secondsubstrate relative to the first substrate.
 14. The system of claim 13,wherein the rail extends substantially straight along a longitudinalaxis of the first substrate.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein therail comprises a curved shape.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein theclamp comprises a first arm having a first shoe and a second arm havinga second shoe, the first arm is configured to apply a first forceagainst a first lateral side of the rail, the first shoe is configuredto engage the first lateral side of the rail, the second arm isconfigured to apply a second force against a second lateral side of therail, and the second shoe is configured to engage the second lateralside of the rail.
 17. An armrest assembly for a motor vehiclecomprising: a first substrate having a rail extending outwardlytherefrom; a second substrate; and a clamp comprising a first arm havinga first shoe, and a second arm having a second shoe, wherein the clampis fixedly coupled to and extends outwardly from the second substrate,the clamp is slidably coupled to the rail and configured to dampenlongitudinal motion of the second substrate relative to the firstsubstrate, the first arm is configured to apply a first force against afirst lateral side of the rail, the first shoe is configured to engagethe first lateral side of the rail, the second arm is configured toapply a second force against a second lateral side of the rail, and thesecond shoe is configured to engage the second lateral side of the rail.18. The armrest assembly of claim 17, comprising an armrest fixedlycoupled to the first substrate and configured to move in a longitudinaldirection relative to the second substrate.
 19. The armrest assembly ofclaim 17, comprising an armrest fixedly coupled to the second substrateand configured to move in a longitudinal direction relative to the firstsubstrate.
 20. The armrest assembly of claim 17, wherein the clamp andthe rail are each formed from a polymer based material.